Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "myths"

Hello, my fellow lovers of lore!

I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my latest literary adventure, "Tales from the African Continent," a book that invites you to embark on a journey through the heart of Africa's most enchanting myths and legends. From the shifting dunes of the Sahara to the vibrant jungles and majestic mountains, these stories are as varied and vast as the continent itself.

Dive into the world where the trickster spider Anansi weaves tales as complex as his webs, and the fearsome Grootslang guards the treasures of the earth. Sail with the alluring Mami Wata, who whispers the secrets of the waters, and march alongside Queen Amina of Zazzau, a warrior of unmatched valor. Each story pulsates with the rhythm of the African spirit, offering a tapestry of tales that have been echoed through time.

Strap on your most comfortable walking boots and prepare for an expedition into the mystical, where every beat of the drum tells a story waiting to be told.

See you on the African savannas,
Samuel DenHartog

Hello, lovers of myths and legends!

My newest book, "Tales from the American Indians," is a journey into the heart of Native American folklore has been an enriching and enlightening experience, and I am thrilled to finally share it with all of you. Each story offers a glimpse into a world where spirits, animals, and humans coexist, guided by the wisdom of nature and ancestors.

One of the most rewarding aspects of creating this book was reimagining these timeless tales while honoring their cultural roots. From the powerful Sun God Tawa of the Hopi to the enigmatic Spider Woman, each chapter brings these characters to life in a way that resonates with readers of all ages.

You'll find stories filled with heroism, mystical creatures, and profound wisdom. Whether it's the haunting presence of the Stone Giants or the nurturing guidance of Asgaya Gigagei, each story immerses you in the vibrant world of Native American folklore.

Join me on this journey through the legends that have shaped the culture and spirituality of the American Indians.

Warm regards,
Samuel DenHartog

The legend of the chupacabra has fascinated people for decades, but I wanted to dive deeper—into the mind of the creature itself. With this book, I set out to imagine what it would be like to live under a curse that turns man into monster, exploring a story that spans centuries yet feels rooted in the present. By placing the reader inside Tlaca’s thoughts, I hope to give a perspective that’s rarely explored: not just the actions of a predator but the emotions, regrets, and memories that shape his existence.

One of the challenges in writing this story was balancing the ancient roots of the legend with the modern world, where technology and human expansion leave little room for myth to hide. In crafting Tlaca’s journey, I wanted to show how he adapts to this changing world, how the very land he’s tied to transforms over time. From the fall of Tenochtitlán to present-day Texas, his story is as much about survival as it is about identity and legacy.

Writing in the first person for this book allowed me to truly inhabit Tlaca’s perspective, creating a narrative that feels personal and alive. His thoughts, his struggles, and his moments of reflection paint a portrait of a creature who is far more than a monster. Through him, I explored questions about what it means to endure, to adapt, and to find purpose in the face of an unending curse.

"Chupacabra Among Us" is a book that blends mythology, suspense, and the deeply human themes of isolation and perseverance. It’s been an incredible journey bringing this story to life, and I hope readers find it as compelling to experience as it was for me to write.

For centuries, the Pine Barrens have been haunted by whispers of a winged terror, a creature glimpsed in the night, feared by those who dare to tread too close to its domain. The stories of the Jersey Devil have always been told from the outside, from the fearful voices of those who claim to have seen it, from the desperate accounts of those who have hunted it. But what if the creature could speak for itself? What if the legend was only the beginning?

This book steps into the mind of the beast, unraveling the tale from the inside, through eyes that have seen centuries pass and claws that have torn through the fabric of human history. It is not just about fear—it is about purpose, about hunger, about the voice that has guided it since its first breath. From colonial nights to the burning glow of the modern world, the creature has endured, not just as a monster, but as something more. The Devil does not create without reason, and this is the story of what it truly means to be his own.

Writing this book was an experience unlike any other, diving into the raw and unsettling reality of a creature that was never meant to be tamed. Every sighting, every encounter, every scream in the night is a thread in a much larger tapestry of something ancient, something patient, something waiting. The Jersey Devil is a force, shaped by the fear of those who refuse to believe and strengthened by those who do. This is a tale of horror, power, inevitability, and a darkness that will never fade.

"The Jersey Devil Unchained" is now available, and with it, a new way to look at one of America’s oldest and most terrifying legends. If you have ever wondered what lurks beyond the reach of firelight, what watches from the depths of the woods when the world grows quiet, this book offers a glimpse into that abyss. But be warned—the thing in the Barrens has waited long enough, and now, it is ready to speak.